Sectional platen



- Feb. 6, 1945. A. w. METZNER 2,363,674 l sEcTIoNAL PLATEN AFiled spt. 11. 1941 INVENTOR Patented Feb. 6,- 1945 SECTIONAL PLATEN Albert W. Metzner, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Standard Register Company, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Dayton,

Application september 11, 1941, serial Nn. 410,445

` s claims. (ci. 1er-129) This invention pertains to platen rolls-for writing or imprinting apparatus having therein positive record material feeding means, and more particularly to a mask or bridging device for continuing the writing surface of the platen-roll across the position of the positive feedingdevice when the .latter is rendered inoperative.

For illustrative purpose, but with no intent to unduly limit or restrict the scope or -application of the invention, it is herein shown and described as embodied in a pin type platen roll of the' style and character disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States to Sherman No. 2,000,650, wherein a series of relatively spaced, optionally selective pin wheel feeding units -enable the feeding of record materials of different widths about the platen roll. The present mask. or bridging device by which the platen surface is extended across the position of the pin type feeding unit when the latter is rendered ineffective is supplemental to and a further development and ampliflcation of that disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States to Metzner No. 2,012,282, and to Sherman and Metzner No. 2,012,289.

.'I'he object of the invention is to improve the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of positive feed platen rolls, whereby they may not only be economically manufactured, but will be more efllcient in use, automatic in action, adapted to afford a uniform writing surface across the position of feed units when the latter are-not in use, have .additional operating parts,- and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a platen surface automatically movable into and out of writingvline position in alternation with the adjustment ofthe corresponding positive feeding unit out of and into record material feeding relation, which is compact, and applicable to a feeding unit at any point throughout the platen roll andi-operable independently of other like devices.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a movable -platen section agreeing with adjacent portions of the platen roll to aiforda continuous writing surface, and to provide mounting means therefor, which is automatically adjustable into and out of operative position.

A further object of'the invention is to intercouple the movable platen sector and the pin type feeding device for unison adjustment into and out of `operative positions alternately. l

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for facilitating the advancement of record material of different widths by optionally selective positive record material feeding devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Writing or imprinting machine platen roll having `the advantageous structural features and meritorious inherent characteristics and mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled pin type platen roll for a writing or imprinting machine, embodying' the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a `longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a platen roll.

Figs. 3 and 4 are end elevations showing a 1 pin type feeding unit and adjustable platen section in alternate positions of adjustment. Fig. 3 illustrates the several parts with the mask or bridging platen section retracted and the pin type feeding unit in operative position for positively advancing the record material relative to the platen roll. Fig. 4 conversely shows the' pin type feeding means adjusted to inoperative position and the adjustable platen sector in operative position at the writing line of the platen.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the several parts partially disassembled.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view illustrating the reciprocatory feeding pins and control cam therefor in alternate Vpositions of adjustment.

Like parts are indicated bysimilar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The present assembly is intended as a substitute platen for interchange with the conventional frictional feed platen roll of a typewriter,

tabulator, computing, billing machine, or the like.

The incorporation of thel present platen enablesthe record material to be advanced past an im- 1 pression receiving position by optionally selective frictional feeding means cooperating with the platen roll, as is usual and commonly found in such machines -and writing apparatus, or to be positiveiy advanced by pin type feeding devices engageable in longitudinally spaced feed '56 holes in the record material. The provision of plural axially spaced pin type feeding units in the platen roll enables the positive feeding of record materials of different widths. However, when positively feeding wide record material, or when frictionally feeding the material, the pin type feeding devices intermediate the margins of the record -material cause uneven or interrupted writing areas across which the writing line extends.

The present mask or bridging device which is.

automatically movable into operative position at the writing line when thev positive feed device is retracted enables the writing to be continued across the positions of intermediate pin type feeding units when using wide record material, or permits the full width of the record material to be used without interruption of the writing line, in the event the material is being frictionally advanced.

Y Referring to the drawing, I is the platen roll.v

which may-comprise any number of succeeding axially aligned cylindrical sections Ia, I b and Ic in alternating relation with which a series of pin type feeding units 2 are interposed.' The particular pin type feeding unit herein illustrated is that forming the subject matter of reissue patent to Sherman No. 20,888, although obviously other forms of material feeding devices may be employed in lieu therefor. Each pin wheel unit comprises a disc or head 3, which also forms the head of one of the platen roll sections, but which is of somewhat less maxi- V mum diameter than that of the platen roll sec- The platen roll section heads 3, which also comprise the' mounts for the several groups of feeding pins, are mounted upon an axial shaft 4, the ends of which are reduced at to agree with the conventional bearings of writing andV imprinting apparatus, for the original platen roll of whichV the present assembly is to be inter changed. The shaft is provided with terminal knobs 6 and the customary line space ratchet -wheel I vand variable 8. The medial enlarged portion of the platen roll shaft is transversely notched for engagement of a terminal thrust collar assembly, shown at the right of Fig. 2,

by which the platen roll'sections are held under axial compression, and4 which enables other sections of greater or less length to be interchanged. Such vthrust collar assembly, includes a, screw threaded hub 9 keyed to the shaft 4 inone of the transverse notches 4a against axial move- 'ment. The hub is engageable in different' positions of axial adjustment along the shaft. Screw threaded upon vthe hub 9 is a thrust collar with the record material and within the periphery of the platen roll, while succeeding pins I2 are progressively extended into feeding engagement with the record material and continue the advancement thereof.

Each pin control cam I4 is mounted for oscillatory adjustment relative to its mounting head 3 and platen roll section independently of every other pin control cam. Loosely journaled upon' the mounting head hub I5 surrounding the platen roll shaft 4 and closely adjacent to the pin wheel disc 3 is a disc I6, having in one side l thereof a series of spaced screw threaded holes I'I to the opposite side of which the pin control cam I4 is xedly attached vfor unison rotary Y adjustment therewith. Normally the cam is positioned in a forwardly andv upwardly inclined position whereby the pins are projected vinto feeding engagement with the 'record material disposed about the platen, within a forward top sector of the mounting head and platen roll,

asis shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6. However, by

, paral rotation ofthe disc I6 and with it the pin control cam to a rearwardly inclined position, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6, the pins are Y caused to be projected in an inoperative position from a rear top sector of the platen roll. Any

one of several pin type feeding units may be selected and adjusted-to record material feeding relation, as in Figs. 3 and `6, while other such units therebetween or beyond the .selected units may be adjusted to inoperative position, as in Fig. 4. A

Also loosely journaled on the mounting head hub I5 is a. collar I8 having an integral radially projecting arm I9 which terminates in a laterally projecting convex head 20. In a segmental portion of the collar I8 is an arcuate slot 2l which`registers with the screw threaded holes I'I in the vdisc I6 surrounding the hub I5 closely adjacent to the collar i8, is a 'peripherally notched collar 22 having therein spaced notches 23 and 23a and having a sector shaped extension containing an arcuate slot 24. 25 projected through the slots 24 and 2I of the collars 22 and I8 and engaged in one of the screw threaded holes I1 of the disc I6 serves to unite the assembly with the arm carrying collar I8 clamped between the' disc I5 and the I0, which bears against the head of the terminal platen roll section. 'I'he shaft 4 is also longitudinally splined on the side opposite the transverse notches at 5a for driving vengagement of the heads 3 which are keyed thereon.

Each disc or mounting head 3 has therein a Vplurality of radial bores II in which are mountved reciprocatory feeding pins I2. T he pins I2 'are laterally notched at I3 for engagement over the flange of aneccentric or cam I4, about which the pins ride as the platen roll is rotated. As the p ins Ypass about the high point of the cam I4, their extremities are projected beyond the periphery of the platen roll into feeding engagement with the record material, which is thereby advanced a short distance in, 4unison with the rotation. of the platen roll. As the pins advance beyond the high point of the cam, they are progressively 'retracted' out of engagement notched collar 22. The entire assembly is movable to and fro through alternate partial rotations togethpr with the pin control cam I4,

' assembly including the pin control cam in either position of alternative adjustment shown in Fig. 6 to effect projection ofthe pins as in Fig. 3 or in Fig. 4. Intermediatethe stationary collar 2i and the succeeding section of the platen roll is a peripherally notched friction washer 30.

By loosening the set screwk 25, the disc Il and its radial arm I9 .are adjustable within the limits of the arcuate slot 2| independentlyof the remainder of the assembly and the connected pin control cam. The parts are so adjusted that when the cam is adjusted to its ineffective pod- A set screw,

of the radial arm |9.- 'Ihe mask or facing sector 3| is of rubber or composition corresponding to the material of the platen roll sections, and the face of the mask is of a radius agreeing with the curvature of the platen roll. 'I'he length of such mask is sufficient to fit closely between two adjacent platenl roll sections in overlapping relation with the disc I6 and pin mounting head 3, as shown at the bottom in Fig. 2.

The face of the mask 3| which coincides with the surfaces of the platen roll sections at each side thereof forms a continuing uniform writing surface across the position of the feeding'.

assembly. However, since the mask 3| is stationary when in operative position at the writing line and receives the impact of each written line, whereas the platen roll sections rotate and the impact of the type bars thereon is distributed about the periphery of the roll sections, the mask 3| fwill require replacement from time to. time. Although the face of the mask segment 3| is of rubber or composition, it is provided with a metal back 32 and inturned spring flanges 33 which detachably grip the head 20 of the arm |9. By releasing the set screw 25 and rotatively adjusting the collar I8 to slight degree, different portions of the face of the mask sector may be brought into impact receiving relation with the type bars 34. Thus. the impact of the type bars' upon the mask sector 3| may be distributed within limited range, and when no longer serviceable the mask sector can be readily replaced. i

The construction and arrangement are such that the feeding pins and the platen mask are alternately adjusted to operative relation, although not at the same position. As the feeding pins are shifted rearwardly from the operative position of Fig. 3 to inoperative position shown in Fig. 4, the platen mask 3| is raised from inoperative position shown in Fig. 3 to operative position illustrated in Fig. 4, and `vice versa.

If, material of dierent widths is to be fed over the same platen roll, the pin type feeding units properly spaced to agree with the width of the particular record material are selected and adjusted to the operative position, as in Fig. 3. By the same adjustment the corresponding platen masks are automatically retracted to inoperative position, as also shown in Fig. 3. The intermediate feeding units, and if desired the feeding units beyond those adopted for use, are adjusted to inoperative position as in Fig. 4, which causes the platen mask sectors 3| to be automatically positioned coincident with the writing line. This enables the writing line to be continued uninterruptedly across the position of the non-effective pin type feeding units.

Likewise, if it be desired to feed record material ,by conventional 'frictional feeding means, allor any part of the pin typefeeding units may be retracted to inoperative condition and the corresponding platen mask then will be positioned across the feeding units at the writing lineand will afford-a continuous uniform writing surface` throughout the lengthv of the platen.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously isl susceptible of modiiication in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its `forms or modifications within the legitimate and' valid scope ofthe appended claims. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A-writing machine platen roll, including a pin type record material feeding device adjustable into operative and inoperative condition, an oscillatory arm interconnected therewith for oscillatory movement in unison with ltheadjustment of the pin type feeding device, a segmental head on the arm in overlapping relation with the pin type feeding device and a cover detachably engageable with'the head of said arm having a face flush with the periphery of the platen roll, the construction and arrangement being such that said head is movable into the writing line position to afford a uniform writing surface across the position of the pin type feeding unit in unisonwith the adjustment of the said feedingunit out of record material engaging position, and vice versa.

2. A platen roll for a writing or printing machine, comprising succeeding axially aligned sec- 40 tions mounted for unison rotation and a pin type feeding unit interposed therebetween, including an oscillatory arm also interposed between the succeeding sections of the platen roll in proximate lrelation with the pin type lfeeding unit, a

head carried by the arm in overhanging relation with the pin type feeding unit and extending from the adjacent terminal of one platen roll section to that of the other, and a convex face upon said head agreeing with the peripheries of the platen roll sections and affording a continuous writing surface uniform with the surpin type feeding unit,"and affording a continuing writing surface thereacross coincidentwith the writing orimprinting position uniformly with Y the surfaces of the adjacent platen roll sections, and a mounting therefor also interposed between the axially aligned platen roll sections.

4.. A platen roll for a writing or imprinting machine, wherein a pin type record material feeding unit is interposed between succeeding relatively spaced axially aligned sections of the platen roll mounted for unison rotation, including a of the adjacent| platen roll sections, and an ad-l Justable mounting therefor also interposed between the axially aligned platen roll sections by the adjustment of which said segmental mask is movable circumferentially of the platen roll into and out of the writing position.

5. A platen roll for a writing or imprinting machine, including a plurality of axially aligned longitudinally spaced platen roll sections mount ed for unison rotation, and an intermediate stationary bridging member interposed between the platen roll sections and extending from one to the other flush with the peripheral surfaces thereof, and affording a continuing writing surface from one platen roll section to the other, and a support for said bridging member positioned intermediate the platen roll sections.

6. A platen roll for a writing or imprinting machine, including a plurality of axially aligned longitudinally spaced platen roll sections mounted for unison rotation, and an intermediate stationary bridging member interposed between the platen roll sections and extending'from one to the other flush with the peripheral surfaces thereof, and affording a continuing writing surface from one platen roll section to the other, and a rotative-support for the bridging member mounted intermediate the platen roll sections for oscillatory motion concentric therewith, by adjustment of which said bridging member is movable into and out of operative position at the writing line of said platen roll.

7. 'A platen roll for a writing or imprinting machine, wherein a pin type record material feeding unit is interposed between two axially aligned sections ofthe platen roll and adjustable into and out of operative condition, including a supplemental platen member interposed be tween the platen roll sections in lbridging relation with the pin type feeding unit, and extending from one platen roll section to the other in flush relation with the peripheral surfaces thereof and affording a continuing writing surface from one platen roll section to the other, a support therefor positioned intermediate the platen roll sections and operatively connected with the pin type feeding unit for unison adjustment, `and a head on said support with which the supplemental platen member is detachably engageable for interchange with other supplemental platen members.

8. A platen roll for awriting or imprinting machine, whereupon a pin type record material feeding unit is interposed between succeeding axially-aligned platen roll sections, including'a supplemental platen member' interposed between the platen roll sections in bridging relation with the pin type feeding unit and affording a continuing writing surface from one platen roll section to the other flush' with the peripheral surfaces thereof, and a disc mounted for limited rotative movement intermediate the platen roll sections andl common to the pin type feeding unit and the supplemental platen member by oscillatory adjustment of which the supplemental platen member is operatively positioned and the pin type feeding unit retracted to inoperative condition and vice versa.

ALBERT W. METZNER. 

